NY- Salmon River

[Snakeskinlimbs]

This was the 1st year I missed going to the Salmon river since I was 12.

I came across this photos of one of my Salmon aka Mud Sharks from last year.

Did any one go up this season?

[shawn]

going up thanksgiving for steelhead to many pepole for the salmon run

[yukon cornelius]

headed up next weekend for steel & leftover browns

[Snakeskinlimbs]

I was going to give the steelhead a try this winter or early spring (March).
As I have never attempted to try my luck at steelhead, what would you suggest, taking up my fly rod or spin cast?
And if Spin cast would you say use a light braid line with leader or go straight mono?
I'll take any suggestions

[bassface]

I haven't fished the Salmon River but spent some time on the Niagara for stealies. From my experience you can use either spinning or fly tackle. Because the Niagara is deeper and faster we mainly used spinning tackle with three way rigs. Are you going to be drifting or casting from shore. Drifting sacs are always a good bet. We have also had luck on single egg imitators and small hair jigs under a float.

I am not much of a fly guy but from what I hear the single egg imitators with a couple pieces of tinsel are deadly and then the usual assortment of wooly buggers etc.

Hope this helps.

[Snakeskinlimbs]

I don't have a drift boat so I'll be working the bends in the river.

What are your thoughts about Braid vs. Mono?

I hear they have a very light bite and need to be on guard.
I would think the braid would give more feel but with the black color may add to line shy fish. I would use a long leader thou.

Also what about small spinners or spoons? I know most use egg sacks and flies and even heard of the real small wacky worms for trout.

Another question would be that I have seen people use a rig with the split shots spread out on the line about 5 or 6 inch apart. What would the benefit of this be over a more traditional rig for trout?


And again thanks for any and all help.

[bassface]

You could probably get away with 15lb powerpro with 4 or five foot flouro leaders. I am not super up on what the water clarity is up there but generally in the Great Lakes systems water clarity is very good and line shy fish are common. I fished braid in the niagara with the flouro leaders and would do fine and I have buddies that go straight flouro. Flouro lines are more sensitive than mono but you can't beat the braids, especially power pro, for sensitivity.

People definitely catch fish on spoons and spinners but it is more common for bait to win out. In the Niagara we would drift Kwik fish on three way rigs too but by and large some form of bait worked better. Spoons and spinners are faster moving presentations and you really have to have a feel for keeping them wobbling at slower speeds without hanging up.

I have never seen or used the split shot rig you mentioned but to me it feels like a way to suspend baits in the current. Cast upstream and let it drift back through. You can add or subtract split shot to cover different parts of the water column and keep your bait from hanging up. That may be totally off but it seems logical to me

[Snakeskinlimbs]

Thanks for all the info.

[bassface]

No problem. Can't wait to hear how it goes.

[bigrak]

Lots of Luck!!!!!!!